Liquid crystal apparatus and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal apparatus includes an element substrate provided with a pixel electrode and a TFT, and a counter substrate disposed facing the element substrate. The element substrate includes a first microlens, a second microlens, and a third microlens corresponding to the pixel electrode. The first microlens is disposed further toward an incident side of light than the second microlens. A relationship between a lens power of the first microlens and a lens power of the second microlens is that the lens power of the first microlens is greater than or equal to the lens power of the second microlens.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JPApplication Serial Number 2018-203690, filed Oct. 30, 2018, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to liquid crystal apparatus device and anelectronic device.

2. Related Art

As a liquid crystal apparatus, there is known a transmissive liquidcrystal apparatus applied to a light valve of a projector. In such aliquid crystal apparatus, to facilitate effective utilization of lightemitted from a light source and achieve a bright display, aconfiguration in which one microlens is provided to an element substrateand one microlens is provided to a counter substrate has been proposed.

However, when the element substrate and the counter substrate arebonded, the problem arises that a center of the micro lens of theelement substrate and a center of the micro lens of the countersubstrate deviate from each other, resulting in a reduction inbrightness. Therefore, in JP-A-2015-228040, there is proposed a liquidcrystal apparatus having a configuration in which two microlenses areprovided to an element substrate and light is incident from the elementsubstrate side.

Nevertheless, with future advances in high definition, the problemarises that further improvements in light utilization efficiency andimprovements in a contrast ratio are demanded in a liquid crystalapparatus in which light is incident from the element substrate side.

SUMMARY

A liquid crystal apparatus according to the present application is aliquid crystal apparatus including a first substrate, a second substratedisposed facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate. The firstsubstrate includes a pixel electrode disposed in the first substrate, aswitching element disposed between the first substrate and the pixelelectrode, a first microlens disposed between the first substrate andthe switching element, and a second microlens disposed between the firstmicrolens and the switching element. The first microlens is disposedfurther toward an incident side of light than the second microlens. Arelationship between a lens power of the first microlens and a lenspower of the second microlens is that the lens power of the firstmicrolens is greater than or equal to the lens power of the secondmicrolens.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first microlens andthe second microlens may be convex lenses protruding toward the incidentside of the light.

A liquid crystal apparatus according to the present application is aliquid crystal apparatus including a first substrate, a second substratedisposed facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate. The firstsubstrate includes a pixel electrode disposed in the first substrate, aswitching element disposed between the first substrate and the pixelelectrode, a first microlens disposed between the first substrate andthe switching element, a second microlens disposed between the firstmicrolens and the switching element, and a third microlens disposedbetween the switching element and the pixel electrode.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first substrate maybe disposed further toward an incident side of light than the secondsubstrate, and the first microlens, the second microlens, and the thirdmicrolens may be convex lenses protruding toward the incident side ofthe light.

A liquid crystal apparatus according to the present application is aliquid crystal apparatus including a first substrate, a second substratedisposed facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate. The firstsubstrate includes a pixel electrode disposed in the first substrate, aswitching element disposed between the first substrate and the pixelelectrode, a first microlens disposed between the first substrate andthe switching element, a second microlens disposed between the firstmicrolens and the switching element, and a third microlens disposedbetween the switching element and the pixel electrode. The firstsubstrate is disposed further toward an incident side of light than thesecond substrate, and a relationship between a lens power of the firstmicrolens, a lens power of the second microlens, and a lens power of thethird microlens is that the lens power of the first microlens is greaterthan or equal to the lens power of the second microlens, and the lenspower of the second microlens is greater than or equal to the lens powerof the third microlens.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first microlens,the second microlens, and the third microlens may be convex lensesprotruding toward the incident side of the light.

An electronic device according to the present application includes theliquid crystal apparatus described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a configuration of a liquidcrystal apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an electricalconfiguration of the liquid crystal apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of theliquid crystal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a projector.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line the A-A′ ofthe liquid crystal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, description is given below of exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings used areappropriately scaled up or down or otherwise exaggerated to allow partsto be described in a fully recognizable manner. Other components thancomponents needed to be described may sometimes be omitted.

Note that, in the exemplary embodiments below, the description “on thesubstrate”, for example, indicates that the component is disposed on andin contact with the substrate, disposed on the substrate via anothercomponent, or a part of the component is disposed on and in contact withthe substrate and a part of the component is disposed on the substratevia another component.

A liquid crystal apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment will bedescribed by taking, as an example, an active matrix liquid crystalapparatus including a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) as a switching elementof a pixel. This liquid crystal apparatus can be used suitably as, forexample, a liquid crystal light valve of a projector described below.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a liquid crystal apparatus according to the present exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is aschematic plan view illustrating a configuration of the liquid crystalapparatus. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating anelectrical configuration of the liquid crystal apparatus. FIG. 3 is aschematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of the liquidcrystal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal apparatus 1 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment includes an element substrate 10 asa first substrate, a counter substrate 30 as a second substrate disposedfacing the element substrate 10, a seal material 42, and a liquidcrystal layer 40. The element substrate 10 is larger than the countersubstrate 30, and both substrates are bonded together via the sealmaterial 42 disposed in a frame shape along an edge portion of thecounter substrate 30.

The liquid crystal layer 40 is configured by a liquid crystal havingpositive or negative dielectric anisotropy and encapsulated in a spacesurrounded by the element substrate 10, the counter substrate 30, andthe seal material 42. As the seal material 42, for example, an adhesivesuch as a thermosetting or ultraviolet light curing epoxy resin isemployed. A spacer (not illustrated) for maintaining a constant intervalbetween the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 isincluded in the seal material 42.

A light shielding layer provided to the element substrate 10 and a lightshielding layer provided to the counter substrate 30 are disposed on aninner side of the seal material 42 arranged in a frame shape. The lightshielding layer includes a peripheral edge portion having a frame shape,and is formed by, for example, a metal or a metal oxide having a lightshielding property. The inner side of the light shielding layer having aframe shape is a display region E in which a plurality of pixels P arearranged. The pixels P have a substantially polygonal planar shape. Thepixels P have, for example, a substantially rectangular shape and arearranged in a matrix shape.

The display region E is a region that substantially contributes todisplay in the liquid crystal apparatus 1. The light shielding layerprovided to the element substrate 10 is provided in a lattice shape, forexample, to partition the opening areas of the plurality of pixels P ina planar manner in the display region E. Note that the liquid crystalapparatus 1 may include a dummy region that is provided surrounding aperiphery of the display region E and does not substantially contributeto display.

A data line driving circuit 51 and a plurality of external connectionterminals 54 are provided to the element substrate 10 along a first sidepositioned on a lower side in FIG. 1. In addition, an inspection circuit53 is provided on the display region E side of the seal material 42along a second side facing the first side. Furthermore, a scanning linedriving circuit 52 is provided on the inner side of the seal material 42along each of the other two sides orthogonal to the first and secondsides and facing each other.

On the display region E side of the seal material 42 of the second sideprovided with the inspection circuit 53, a plurality of lines of wiring55 configured to connect the two scanning line driving circuits 52 areprovided. The lines of wiring connected to the data line driving circuit51 and the scanning line driving circuits 52 are coupled to theplurality of external connection terminals 54. In addition, corners ofthe counter substrate 30 are each provided with a vertical conductionportion 56 configured to establish electrical conduction between theelement substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30. Note that thearrangement of the inspection circuit 53 is not limited to the above,and the inspection circuit 53 may be provided at a position along theinner side of the seal material 42 between the data line driving circuit51 and the display region E.

In the following description, an axis along the first side provided withthe data line driving circuit 51 is referred to as an X axis, and anaxis along the two other sides orthogonal to the first side and facingeach other is referred to as a Y axis. The X axis is the axis along theline A-A′ in FIG. 1. Light shielding layers 17, 21 are provided in alattice shape along the X axis and the Y axis. The opening areas of thepixels P are defined in a lattice shape by the light shielding layers17, 21, and are arranged in a matrix shape along the X axis and the Yaxis.

Furthermore, an axis orthogonal to the X axis and the Y axis andextending toward the front in FIG. 1 is referred to as a Z axis.Further, in the present specification, viewing from the normal directionof the surface of the liquid crystal apparatus 1 on the countersubstrate 30 side is referred to as “plan view”.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the display region E of the elementsubstrate 10, scanning lines 2 and data lines 3 are formed to intersecteach other, and the pixels P are provided correspondingly to theintersections of the scanning lines 2 and the data lines 3. A pixelelectrode 23 and a TFT 19 serving as the switching element are providedin each of the pixels P.

A source electrode of the TFT 19 is electrically coupled to the dataline 3 extending from the data line driving circuit 51. Image signals,that is, data signals S1, S2, . . . , Sn are line-sequentially suppliedfrom the data line driving circuit 51 to the data lines 3. A gateelectrode of the TFT 19 is a portion of the scanning line 2 extendingfrom the scanning line driving circuit 52. Scanning signals G1, G2, . .. , Gm are line-sequentially supplied from the scanning line drivingcircuit 52 to the scanning lines 2. Note that a drain electrode of theTFT 19 is electrically coupled to the pixel electrode 23.

The image signals S1, S2, . . . , Sn are written to the pixel electrodes23 via the data lines 3 at a predetermined timing by turning the TFT 19on for a certain period of time. The image signals of a predeterminedlevel thus written in the liquid crystal layer 40 via the pixelelectrodes 23 are held for a certain period at a liquid crystalcapacitor formed between the pixel electrodes 23 and a common electrode33 provided to the counter substrate 30 and illustrated in FIG. 3.

Note that, to prevent the image signals S1, S2, . . . , Sn held fromleaking, a storage capacitor 5 is formed between a capacitor line 4formed along the scanning line 2 and the pixel electrode 23 and disposedin parallel with a liquid crystal capacitor. In this way, when a voltagesignal is applied to the liquid crystal of each pixel P, an alignmentstate of the liquid crystal changes due to the applied voltage level. Asa result, light incident on the liquid crystal layer 40 illustrated inFIG. 3 is modulated to enable gradation display.

The liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 40, anorientation and an order of molecular assembly are changed by a level ofvoltage to be applied and, accordingly, modulates the light and enablesgradation display. For example, in a normally white mode, thetransmittance for incident light decreases in accordance with thevoltage applied in each pixel P. In a normally black mode, thetransmittance for incident light increases in accordance with thevoltage applied in each pixel P. Further, light having contrast inaccordance with the image signal is emitted from the liquid crystalapparatus 1 as a whole.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal apparatus 1 includes theelement substrate 10, the counter substrate 30, and the liquid crystallayer 40 sandwiched between the element substrate 10 and the countersubstrate 30. In the present exemplary embodiment, light L is incidentfrom the element substrate 10 side, passes through the liquid crystallayer 40, and is emitted from the counter substrate 30 side.

The element substrate 10 includes a first base material 1, a first lenslayer 12, a light transmitting layer 13, an intermediate layer 14, asecond lens layer 15, a light transmitting layer 16, the light shieldinglayer 17, an insulating layer 18, the TFT 19, an insulating layer 20,the light shielding layer 21, an insulating layer 22, the pixelelectrode 23, and an alignment film 24. The first lens layer 12 includesa plurality of first microlenses ML1. The second lens layer 15 includesa plurality of first microlenses ML2. The liquid crystal apparatus 1 ofthe present exemplary embodiment includes a two-stage microlens of thefirst microlens ML1 and the second microlens ML2.

The first base material 11 is made of a material having lighttransmittance such as glass or quartz, for example. A plurality ofrecessed portions 12 a are provided to the first base material 11. Therecessed portion 12 a is provided on a per pixel P basis. Thecross-sectional shape of the recessed portion 12 a is a curved surfacesuch as a semicircle or a semi-ellipse, for example. The recessedportion 12 a constitutes a lens surface of the first microlens ML1.

The first lens layer 12 is formed to fill the recessed portions 12 a.The first lens layer 12 is made of an inorganic material having lighttransmittance and having a refractive index different from that of thefirst base material 11. In the present exemplary embodiment, therefractive index of the first lens layer 12 is greater than therefractive index of the first base material 11 and greater than therefractive index of the second lens layer 15. Examples of such inorganicmaterials include SiON and the like.

The first microlens ML1 is formed by embedding the recessed portion 12 awith the material that forms the first lens layer 12. That is, of thefirst lens layer 12, a portion filling the recessed portion 12 a andhaving a convex shape protruding toward the side on which the light L isincident is the first microlens ML1. The first microlens ML1 is disposedon a per pixel P basis.

A light transmitting layer 13 is formed to cover the first lens layer12. The light transmitting layer 13 has light transmittance, and is madeof an inorganic material such as SiO₂, for example, having substantiallythe same refractive index as the first lens layer 12. The lighttransmitting layer 13 serves to protect the first lens layer 12 and tobring a distance from the first microlens ML1 to the second microlensML2 to a desired value. A layer thickness of the light transmittinglayer 13 is set as appropriate based on optical conditions such as afocal length of the first microlens ML1 corresponding to a wavelength oflight.

The intermediate layer 14 is formed to cover the light transmittinglayer 13. The intermediate layer 14 has light transmittance, and isformed from an inorganic material such as SiO₂, for example, havingsubstantially the same refractive index as the light transmitting layer13.

A plurality of recessed portions 15 a are provided to the intermediatelayer 14. The recessed portion 15 a is provided on a per pixel P basis.The cross-sectional shape of the recessed portion 15 a is a curvedsurface such as a semicircle or a semi-ellipse, for example. Therecessed portion 15 a constitutes a lens surface of the second microlensML2.

The second lens layer 15 is formed to fill the recessed portions 15 a.The second lens layer 15 has light transmittance and has a smallerrefractive index than the refractive index of the first lens layer 12.Examples of such inorganic materials include SiON and the like.

The second microlens ML2 is formed by embedding the recessed portion 15a with the material that forms the second lens layer 15. That is, of thesecond lens layer 15, a portion filling the recessed portion 15 a andhaving a convex shape protruding toward the side on which the light L isincident is the second microlens ML2. The second microlens ML2 isdisposed on a per pixel P basis.

Given that lens power is the ability of a microlens to bend light (thereciprocal of focal length), the relationship between the lens power ofthe first microlens ML1 and the lens power of the second microlens ML2may be that the lens power of the second microlens is the same as thelens power of the first microlens ML1 disposed on the incident side ofthe light L, or the lens power of the first microlens ML1 is greaterthan the lens power ML2 of the second microlens. Note that lens powerexpresses the degree of ability of the microlens to bend light, anddepends on the refractive index and the angle of the lens.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first microlensML1 having a convex shape, that is, a convex lens, and the secondmicrolens ML2 having a convex shape, that is, a convex lens, protrudingtoward the incident side of the light L, are disposed.

The light transmitting layer 16 is formed to cover the second lens layer15. The light transmitting layer 16 has light transmittance, and is madeof an inorganic material such as SiO₂, for example, having substantiallythe same refractive index as the second lens layer 15. The lighttransmitting layer 16 serves to protect the second lens layer 15 andbring the distance from the second microlens ML2 to the liquid crystallayer 40 to a desired value. A layer thickness of the light transmittinglayer 16 is set as appropriate based on optical conditions such as afocal length of the second microlens ML2 corresponding to a wavelengthof light.

The light shielding layer 17 is provided on the light transmitting layer16. The light shielding layer 17 is formed in a lattice shape to overlapwith the light shielding layer 21 of the upper layer in plan view. Thelight shielding layer 17 and the light shielding layer 21 are formed,for example, of a metal, a metal compound, or the like. The lightshielding layer 17 and the light shielding layer 21 are disposed tosandwich the TFT 19 in a thickness direction (Z axis) of the elementsubstrate 10. The light shielding layer 17 overlaps at least a channelarea of the TFT 19 in plan view.

The insulating layer 18 is provided to cover the light transmittinglayer 16 and the light shielding layer 17. The insulating layer 18 ismade of an inorganic material such as SiO₂, for example.

The TFT 19 is provided on the insulating layer 18 and is disposed in aregion overlapping in plan view with the light shielding layer 17 andthe light shielding layer 21. The TFT 19 is a switching element thatdrives the pixel electrode 23. The TFT 19 includes a semiconductorlayer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode (notillustrated). A source area, a channel area, and a drain area are formedin the semiconductor layer. A lightly doped drain (LDD) area may beformed at the channel area and the source area, or at an interfacebetween the channel area and the drain area.

The gate electrode is formed in a region overlapping, via a portion ofthe insulating layer 20, that is, via the gate insulating film, thechannel area of the semiconductor layer in plan view in the elementsubstrate 10. Although not illustrated, the gate electrode iselectrically coupled, via a contact hole, to a scanning line disposed onthe lower layer side, and the TFT 19 is turned on and off by a scanningsignal being applied.

The insulating layer 20 is provided to cover the insulating layer 18 andthe TFT 19. The insulating layer 20 is made of an inorganic materialsuch as SiO₂, for example. The insulating layer 20 includes a gateinsulating film that insulates an area between the semiconductor layerand the gate electrode of the TFT 19. The insulating layer 20 mitigatesthe surface irregularities caused by the TFT 19.

The light shielding layer 21 described above is provided on theinsulating layer 20. Then, an insulating layer 22 made from an inorganicmaterial such as SiO₂ is provided to cover the insulating layer 20 andthe light shielding layer 21.

The incidence of light on the TFT 19 from the first base material 11side is suppressed by the light shielding layer 17, and the incidence oflight on the TFT 19 from the liquid crystal layer 40 is suppressed bythe light shielding layer 21, making it possible to suppress an increasein optical leakage current at the TFT 19 and a malfunction caused bylight. The region within the opening portion surrounded by the lightshielding layer 17 and the region within the opening portion surroundedby the light shielding layer 21 overlap in plan view, and is an openingarea in the region of the pixel P through which light is transmitted.

The pixel electrode 23 is provided on the insulating layer 22 on a perpixel P basis. The pixel electrode 23 is disposed in a regionoverlapping in plan view with the opening portion of the pixel P. Thepixel electrode 23 is made from a transparent conductive film such asIndium Tin Oxide (ITO) or Indium Ainc Oxide (IZO), for example. Thealignment film 24 is provided covering the pixel electrode 23. Theliquid crystal layer 40 is encapsulated between the alignment film 24 onthe element substrate 10 side and an alignment film 34 on the countersubstrate 30 side. Note that the pixel electrode 23 and the TFT 19 arecoupled by a tungsten plug (not illustrated). The coupling between thepixel electrode 23 and the TFT 19 may be configured by the coupling of arelay electrode of one or a plurality of layers.

The counter substrate 30 includes a second base material 31, aninsulating layer 32, the common electrode 33, and the alignment film 34.The second base material 31 is made of a material having lighttransmittance such as glass or quartz, for example.

The insulating layer 32 is formed on an entire surface of the secondbase material 31. The insulating layer 32 is formed from an inorganicmaterial such as SiO₂, for example. The common electrode 33 is providedcovering the insulating layer 32 and is formed across the plurality ofpixels P. Further, the common electrode 23 is made from a transparentconductive film such as ITO or IZO, for example. The alignment film 34is provided covering the common electrode 33.

Not that, although not illustrated, an electrode, lines of wiring, and arelay electrode for supplying electrical signals to the TFT 19, acapacitor electrode constituting the storage capacitor 5 illustrated inFIG. 2, and the like are provided in a region overlapping the lightshielding layer 17 and the light shielding layer 21 in plan view.

In the liquid crystal apparatus 1 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, the light L emitted from a light source or the like isincident from the element substrate 10 side including the firstmicrolens ML1 and the second microlens ML2, and emitted from the countersubstrate 30 side.

In this manner, by disposing the first microlens ML1 and the secondmicrolens ML2 on the element substrate 10 and making the lens power ofthe first microlens ML1 disposed on the incident side of the light Lgreater than that of the second microlens ML2, it is possible to improvelight utilization efficiency. Furthermore, because two microlenses aredisposed on the element substrate 10, the occurrence of positionaldeviation when the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 30 arebonded can be suppressed and, as a result, generation of diffractionlight can be suppressed and contrast can be improved.

In addition, the first microlens ML1 and the second microlens ML2 aremicrolenses having a convex shape protruding on the incident side of thelight L, and thus the same formation method can be used and positionaldeviation of the microlenses can be suppressed.

In addition, because two microlenses are disposed below the TFT 19, thatis, on the side opposite from the liquid crystal layer 40, the light Lcan be emitted to the counter substrate 30 without being blocked by theTFT 19, lines of wiring, or the like, and light utilization efficiencycan be improved.

Electronic Device

Next, a configuration of a projector as an electronic device accordingto the present exemplary embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is aschematic view illustrating the configuration of the projector.Hereinafter, the configuration of the projector will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a projector 100 includes a polarizationillumination apparatus 110, two dichroic mirrors 104, 105, threereflective mirrors 106, 107, 108, five relay lenses 111, 112, 113, 114,115, three liquid crystal light valves 121, 122, 123, a cross dichroicprism 116, and a projection lens 117.

The polarization illumination apparatus 110 includes a lamp unit 101 asa light source including a white light source such as an extra-highpressure mercury lamp or a halogen lamp, an integrator lens 102, and apolarization conversion element 103. The lamp unit 101, the integratorlens 102, and the polarization conversion element 103 are disposed alonga system optical axis Lx.

The dichroic mirror 104 reflects red light (R) of a polarized light fluxemitted from the polarization illumination device 110 and transmitsgreen light (G) and blue light (B). The other dichroic mirror 105reflects the green light (G) transmitted by the dichroic mirror 104 andtransmits the blue light (B).

The red light (R) reflected by the dichroic mirror 104 is reflected bythe reflection mirror 106 and subsequently incident on the liquidcrystal light valve 121 via the relay lens 115. The green light (G)reflected by the dichroic mirror 105 is incident on the liquid crystallight valve 122 via the relay lens 114. The blue light (B) transmittedby the dichroic mirror 105 is incident on the liquid crystal light valve123 via a light guide system including the three relay lenses 111, 112,113 and the two reflection mirrors 107, 108.

The transmissive liquid crystal light valves 121, 122, 123 serving aslight conversion elements are each disposed facing an incident surfaceof each type of color light of the cross dichroic prism 116. The colorlight incident on the liquid crystal light valves 121, 122, 123 ismodulated based on video information (video signal) and exits toward thecross dichroic prism 116.

In the cross dichroic prism 116, four right-angle prisms are bondedtogether, and on inner surfaces of the prisms, a dielectric multilayerfilm configured to reflect the red light and a dielectric multilayerfilm configured to reflect the blue light are formed in a cross shape.The three types of color light are synthesized by these dielectricmultilayer films, and light representing a color image is synthesized.The synthesized light is projected on a screen 130 by the projectionlens 117 being the projection optical system, and the image is expandedand displayed.

The liquid crystal light valve 121 is disposed with a gap between a pairof light-polarization elements disposed in a crossed-Nicols on theincident side and the emission side of the color light. The same appliesto the other liquid crystal light valves 122, 123. The liquid crystallight valves 121, 122, 123 are valves to which the liquid crystalapparatus 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment is applied.

As described above, according to the liquid crystal apparatus 1 and theprojector 100 of the first exemplary embodiment, the following effectscan be obtained.

(1) According to the liquid crystal apparatus 1 of the first exemplaryembodiment, by disposing the first microlens ML1 and the secondmicrolens ML2 on the element substrate 10 and making the lens power ofthe first microlens ML1 disposed on the incident side of the light Lgreater than or equal to the lens power of the second microlens ML2, itis possible to improve light utilization efficiency. Furthermore,because two microlenses are disposed on the element substrate 10, theoccurrence of positional deviation when the element substrate 10 and thecounter substrate 30 are bonded can be suppressed and, as a result,generation of diffraction light can be suppressed and contrast can beimproved.

(2) According to the projector 100 of the first exemplary embodiment, itis possible to provide the projector 100 capable of improving displayquality such as contrast.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configurationof a liquid crystal apparatus according to a second exemplaryembodiment. The configuration of the liquid crystal apparatus of thesecond exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 5.

While in the liquid crystal apparatus 1 of the first exemplaryembodiment, the two microlenses of the first microlens ML1 and thesecond microlens ML2 are disposed on the element substrate 10, a liquidcrystal apparatus 201 of the second exemplary embodiment differs in thatthree microlenses of the first microlens ML1, the second microlens ML2,and a third microlens ML3 are disposed on an element substrate 60. Theother portions are substantially the same as those of the firstexemplary embodiment and, therefore, in the second exemplary embodiment,portions different from those of the first exemplary embodiment will bedescribed in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping portions willbe omitted as appropriate.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the liquid crystal apparatus 201 of thesecond exemplary embodiment, a recessed portion 61 a is formed in theinsulating layer 22 formed from an inorganic material disposed in anupper layer of the TFT 19. A plurality of the recessed portions 61 a areprovided in the insulating layer 22, as described above. The recessedportion 61 a is provided on a per pixel P basis. The cross-sectionalshape of the recessed portion 61 a is a curved surface such as asemicircle or a semi-ellipse, for example. The recessed portion 61 aconstitutes the lens surface of the third microlens ML3.

A third lens layer 61 is formed to fill the recessed portions 61 a. Thethird lens layer 61 has light transmittance and has a smaller refractiveindex than the refractive index of the second lens layer 15. Examples ofsuch inorganic materials include SiON and the like.

The third microlens ML3 is formed by embedding the recessed portion 61 awith the material that forms the third lens layer 61. That is, of thethird lens layer 61, a portion filling the recessed portion 61 a andhaving a convex shape protruding toward the side on which the light L isincident is the third microlens ML3. The third microlens ML3 is disposedon a per pixel P basis. In other words, the third microlens ML3including the recessed portion 61 a is provided between the pixelelectrodes 23 and the TFT 19. Note that the pixel electrodes 23 and theTFT 19 are coupled by a tungsten plug (not illustrated). The couplingbetween the pixel electrode 23 and the TFT 19 may be configured by thecoupling of a relay electrode of one or a plurality of layers.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the light L is incident from theelement substrate 60 side including the first microlens ML1, the secondmicrolens ML2, and the third microlens ML3, and emitted from the countersubstrate 30 side.

Thus, the third microlens ML3 of the present exemplary embodiment isconvex, that is, a convex lens, when viewed from the incident side ofthe light L. That is, the first microlens ML1, the second microlens ML2,and the third microlens ML3 are all microlenses having a convex shapeprotruding on the incident side of the light L.

Note that the relationship between the lens powers of each of themicrolenses may satisfy the relationship of “the first microlens ML1≥thesecond microlens ML2≥the third microlens ML3”, that is, the lens powerof the first microlens ML1 may be greater than or equal to the lenspower of the second microlens ML2, and the lens power of the secondmicrolens ML2 may be greater than or equal to the lens power of thethird microlens ML3. A light transmitting layer 62, for example, isformed on the insulating layer 22.

The light transmitting layer 62 is formed to cover the third lens layer61. The light transmitting layer 62 has light transmittance, and is madeof an inorganic material such as SiO₂, for example, having substantiallythe same refractive index as the third lens layer 61. The lighttransmitting layer 62 serves to protect the third lens layer 61 andbring the distance from the third microlens ML3 to the liquid crystallayer 40 to a desired value. A layer thickness of the light transmittinglayer 62 is set as appropriate based on optical conditions such as afocal length of the third microlens ML3 corresponding to a wavelength oflight.

With the three microlenses ML1, ML2, ML3 thus disposed on the elementsubstrate 60, the following effects can be obtained. The first microlensML1 and the second microlens ML2 facilitate the efficient collection oflight in the opening area of the display region E, making it possiblefor light beams to be collimated by the third microlens ML3 disposedbetween the TFT 19 and the pixel electrode 23, and thus improve lightutilization efficiency.

Additionally, with the three microlenses ML1, ML2, ML3 provided to theelement substrate 60, positional deviation of the pixel electrode 23,the light shielding layers 17, 21, and the like can be suppressed.Furthermore, with a microlens not disposed on the counter substrate 30,displacement when the element substrate 60 and the counter substrate 30are bonded can be eliminated. As a result, light utilization efficiencycan be improved, that is, brightness can be enhanced, and the contrastratio can be improved.

In addition, the first microlens ML1, the second microlens ML2, and thethird microlens ML3 are all uniform microlenses having a convex shapeprotruding on the incident side of the light L, and thus the formationmethod of the microlenses ML1, ML2, ML3 can be made the same, making itpossible to streamline the formation method and suppress positionaldeviation of the microlenses.

In addition, by reducing the lens power of the third microlens ML3compared to those of the first microlens ML1 and the second microlensML2, it is possible to suppress vignetting by the projection lens aswell as a reduction in the contrast ratio.

As described above, according to the liquid crystal apparatus 201 of thesecond exemplary embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(3) According to the second exemplary embodiment, the three microlensesof the first microlens ML1, the second microlens ML2, and the thirdmicrolens ML3 are provided to the element substrate 60, and thus lightcan be efficiently collected in three stages, and brightness can beimproved. Further, because the three microlenses ML1, ML2, ML3 areformed at the element substrate 60 including the pixel electrode 23 andthe TFT 19, the occurrence of displacement when the element substrate 60and the counter substrate 30 are bonded can be suppressed and, as aresult, generation of diffraction light can be suppressed and thecontrast ratio can be improved.

Modified Examples

Further, the exemplary embodiments described above may be modified asfollows.

While, in the first exemplary embodiment described above, the firstmicrolens ML1 and the second microlens ML2 are formed from microlenseshaving a convex shape protruding toward the incident side of the lightL, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the configurationmay be a combination with a microlens having a concave shape protrudingtoward the emission side of the light L, or may be only microlenseshaving a concave shape. In addition, similar to the second exemplaryembodiment, the configuration may be a combination with a microlenshaving a concave shape or may be only microlenses having a concaveshape. Note that the lens power relationship may be the same as that ofthe exemplary embodiment described above.

While, in the exemplary embodiments described above, the two microlensesML1, ML2 are disposed below the TFT 19 (opposite to the liquid crystallayer 40), the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and two ormore microlenses may be disposed.

While, in the exemplary embodiment described above, the center of themicrolens and the center of the pixel are the same, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the center of the microlens andthe center of the pixel may be different from each other, or the centerposition of the second microlens ML2 may shift gradually from the centerof the display region E toward the outer side of the display region E.In addition, the amount of shift may be varied for each RGB.

Contents derived from the exemplary embodiments will be described below.

A liquid crystal apparatus includes a first substrate disposed on anincident side of light and including a pixel electrode and a switchingelement, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate anddisposed on an emission side of the light, and a liquid crystal layerdisposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The firstsubstrate includes a first microlens disposed correspondingly to thepixel electrode and disposed further toward the incident side of thelight than the pixel electrode, and a second microlens disposedcorrespondingly to the pixel electrode and disposed between the pixelelectrode and the first microlens. A relationship between a lens powerof the first microlens and a lens power of the second microlens is thatthe lens power of the first microlens is greater than or equal to thelens power of the second microlens.

According to this configuration, by disposing the first microlens andthe second microlens on the first substrate and making the lens power ofthe first microlens disposed on the incident side of the light greaterthan or equal to the lens power of the second microlens, it is possibleto improve light utilization efficiency. Furthermore, because twomicrolenses are disposed on the first substrate, the occurrence ofpositional deviation when the first substrate and the second substrateare bonded can be suppressed and, as a result, generation of diffractionlight can be suppressed and contrast can be improved.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first microlens andthe second microlens may be convex lenses protruding toward the incidentside of the light.

According to this configuration, because two convex lenses protrudingwith the orientations of the microlenses in the same direction areprovided, it is possible to produce and efficiently form the convexlenses using the same manufacturing method.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first microlens andthe second microlens may be disposed on a side opposite from the liquidcrystal layer relative to the switching element.

According to this configuration, because two microlenses are formed onthe side opposite from the liquid crystal layer 40 relative to theswitching element, the light can be emitted to the second substratewithout being blocked by the switching element, making it possible toimprove light utilization efficiency.

A liquid crystal apparatus includes a first substrate including a pixelelectrode and a switching element, a second substrate disposed facingthe first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between thefirst substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes afirst microlens, a second microlens, and a third microlens correspondingto the pixel electrode.

According to this configuration, because three microlenses are providedon the first substrate including the switching element, brightness canbe improved. Furthermore, because the three microlenses are formed atthe same first substrate including the switching element, the occurrenceof displacement when the first substrate and the second substrate arebonded can be suppressed and contrast can be improved.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first substrate maybe disposed on an incident side of light, the second substrate may bedisposed on an emission side of the light, and the first microlens, thesecond microlens, and the third microlens may be convex lensesprotruding toward the incident side of the light.

According to this configuration, because three microlenses, which areconvex lenses, are disposed on the first substrate, which is on theincident side of the light, light can be collected without being blockedby the switching element or the like, making it possible to improvelight utilization efficiency.

A liquid crystal apparatus includes a first substrate disposed on anincident side of light and including a pixel electrode and a switchingelement, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate anddisposed on an emission side of the light, and a liquid crystal layerdisposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The firstsubstrate includes a first microlens disposed correspondingly to thepixel electrode and disposed further toward the incident side of thelight than the pixel electrode, a second microlens disposedcorrespondingly to the pixel electrode and disposed between the pixelelectrode and the first microlens, and a third microlens disposedcorrespondingly to the pixel electrode and disposed between the liquidcrystal layer and the pixel electrode. A relationship between a lenspower of the first microlens, a lens power of the second microlens, anda lens power of the third microlens is that the lens power of the firstmicrolens is greater than or equal to the lens power of the secondmicrolens, and the lens power of the second microlens is greater than orequal to the lens power of the third microlens.

According to this configuration, by disposing the first microlens, thesecond microlens, and the third microlens on the first substrate andestablishing such a lens power relationship as described above, it ispossible to improve light utilization efficiency. Furthermore, becausethree microlenses are disposed on the first substrate, the occurrence ofpositional deviation when the first substrate and the second substrateare bonded can be suppressed and, as a result, generation of diffractionlight can be suppressed and contrast can be improved.

In the liquid crystal apparatus described above, the first microlens andthe second microlens may be convex lenses protruding toward the incidentside of the light.

According to this configuration, because three convex lenses protrudingwith the orientations of the microlenses all in the same direction areprovided, it is possible to produce the convex lenses using the samemanufacturing method, and suppress the occurrence of positionaldeviation.

An electronic device includes the liquid crystal apparatus describedabove.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronicdevice capable of improving display quality such as contrast.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a firstsubstrate; a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate; and aliquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate, wherein the first substrate includes a pixel electrodedisposed in the first substrate, a switching element disposed betweenthe first substrate and the pixel electrode, a first microlens disposedbetween the first substrate and the switching element, a secondmicrolens disposed between the first microlens and the switchingelement, and a third microlens disposed between the switching elementand the pixel electrode, such that the first microlens is disposedfurther toward an incident side of light than both the second microlensand the third microlens, and the second microlens is disposed furthertoward an incident side of light than the third microlens.
 2. The liquidcrystal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate isdisposed further toward an incident side of light than the secondsubstrate, the second substrate is disposed at an emission side of thelight, and the first microlens, the second microlens, and the thirdmicrolens are convex lenses protruding toward the incident side of thelight.
 3. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising: a first substrate; asecond substrate disposed facing the first substrate; and a liquidcrystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate, wherein the first substrate includes a pixel electrodedisposed in the first substrate, a switching element disposed betweenthe first substrate and the pixel electrode, a first microlens disposedbetween the first substrate and the switching element, a secondmicrolens disposed between the first microlens and the switchingelement, and a third microlens disposed between the switching elementand the pixel electrode, such that the first microlens is disposedfurther toward an incident side of light than both the second microlensand the third microlens, and the second microlens is disposed furthertoward an incident side of light than the third microlens, the firstsubstrate is disposed further toward an incident side of light than thesecond substrate, and a relationship between a lens power of the firstmicrolens, a lens power of the second microlens, and a lens power of thethird microlens is that the lens power of the first microlens is greaterthan or equal to the lens power of the second microlens, and the lenspower of the second microlens is greater than or equal to the lens powerof the third microlens.
 4. The liquid crystal apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the first microlens, the second microlens, and thethird microlens are convex lenses protruding toward the incident side ofthe light.
 5. An electronic device comprising the liquid crystalapparatus according to claim
 1. 6. An electronic device comprising theliquid crystal apparatus according to claim 3.